That really opens up a lot, but in June you are competing with wedding season for restaurants so I'd start calling around now if you settle on that.

-Someone mentioned Silverball, and not sure on capacity there but worth a call. Yestercades also has parties but not sure if they do 40, the flyer has pricing for a 15 person party.

-If she's into it and the ABC regulations allow, a number of good breweries are around. There are a couple of brewpubs too, and they are less event restricted I think.

-Depending on your likes, 40 people might be able to get a small party boat, but I think you are a little under budget for that edit: under budget with food and other party stuff. Just checked and found a half day boat doing $75 per without any group rate.

-Really more geared towards kids parties, but Ocean County College has a planetarium that you could couple with a big restaurant dinner.

-Those trampoline parks have corporate packages that might be more aligned to an adult party than the kid's bday party.

-There's also those hatchet throwing places that are fun at least in smaller groups.

-Both county park systems have some great facilities for an old fashioned BBQ at the park.

How many people and what’s your budget?

> it's a jersey thing! not to have alleys

Back alleys between blocks do exist in some places. LA was mostly developed with cars in mind- alleys take space that could be backyard if you didn't need a place for a car. NJ places that are post car were primarily set up as suburbs.